AN officer who gave a lifetime of service to Wiltshire Police, Douglas James Hills, died at the age of 75 on January 4 at Swindon's Great Western Hospital.

He was born in Long Newnton in Gloucestershire to parents Fred and Olive Hills, on January 16, 1941, and for as long as he could remember, had a burning desire to become a policeman.

After leaving school he did brief stints at some engineering firms before joining Wiltshire Police in 1960 to realise his dream.

When Mr Hills, who also had an older sister called Grace, was stationed in Melksham and after completing his training he happened to meet Kathy Ashley, who was working at a local corn merchants.

A year later the pair got married at Shaw Church and they went on to have three children, Sarah, born in 1965, Kate, in 1969, and James in 1971.

Due to the nature of his work, the family moved around much of the county, going from Ludgershall to Calne and then finally settling in Devizes in 1970.

Mr Hills retired from his role in 1990 after 30 years as a policeman. However, for the next 25 years he worked on and off for the Wiltshire Constabulary as a coroner's officer, so in total he spent around 55 years working for the people of Wiltshire.

In 2001 he received a High Sheriff's award for his long service to the county and his outstanding work in the community.

"He was a gentleman and just the perfect dad," said his daughter Sarah Gingham.

Outside of work he loved painting, camping trips to Swanage, having holidays in the Algarve, Portugal, and spending time with his family. He leaves his wife, three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

His family are holding a private funeral service, and have organised a celebration of his life, to which everyone who knew him is invited, taking place at Devizes Rugby Club, London Road, on Friday, January 27, from noon.